Boerenkermis 1624

Jan van Goyen made this lively sketch of a "Boerenkermis" with pen in the mid-17th century. A kermis was an annual fair, a boisterous village celebration that provided the setting for all manner of social exchange. The image encapsulates key aspects of Dutch Golden Age society. Van Goyen depicts a scene teeming with life, reflecting the economic prosperity and social mobility of the time. However, it’s not a simple celebration. The scene may subtly critique the excesses and moral ambiguities that accompanied newfound wealth. Notice the figures in various states of merriment and disarray, possibly hinting at the disruptive nature of such gatherings. As an art historian, I'm interested in the ways that institutions such as the art market, academies, and museums, shape both the production and reception of art. The Rijksmuseum holds numerous works like this one, which helps us to map the visual culture of the Netherlands in this period. By consulting archival records, contemporary accounts, and studies of Dutch social history, we can better appreciate how this drawing operates as both a representation of and a commentary on its time.